Thoughts can easily distract from reality. It's like looking at the landscape, but having some layer in between. The commenter, saying what you like and what you dislike about the landscape. The narrator, talking you into thinking about some recent situation, or telling you to remember the milk on your way home. The doubter; telling you how you're waisting your time taking a walk in the woods, or telling you you're not good enough to make your dreams a reality. Thoughts always introduce distance to our immediate experience. Being present doesn't require you to do anything; just noticing what's there is enough. That also includes the thinking mind - instead of pushing your thoughts away, or arguing with them, you can just notice that they are part of your perception, alongside everything else. And then gently nudge attention to what you choose..